Artists have long equated beauty with truth, but the truth is that beauty only exists in relation to something less beautiful. Beauty shines in the juxtaposition. For every Bulgari there is something truly Vulgari

The late Marxist historian DD Kosambi continues to wield tremendous influence on the study of Hinduism. But his disciples have disallowed any rational critique of the man and have zealously ignored the religion’s diversity

Open lists a few parliamentarians who could take a tip or two from Nehru to revive Indian Parliament as an effective instrument of democracy—and to save the country from the brink of economic and political disaster

Once a Double Niner, always a Double Niner. So say soldiers of the 99th Field Regiment of the Indian Army, which was awarded the title ‘Sylhet’ for its gallantry in the 1971 War for the liberation of Bangladesh. First raised in Aurangabad as the 99th Mountain Composite Regiment (Towed) on 15 April 1964, it is remembered for its role in obtaining the surrender of Pakistani forces after a 25-day gun battle during the war. As this 20-minute documentary shows, the Double Niners were masters of tactical manoeuvres, a tradition they still try their utmost to uphold.

Alam is the co-founder of the Muslim League, the hardline faction of the Hurriyat Conference. Beyond the politics, and the facts of his arrest and his life, and his own agenda, there are stories of ordinary people

Mending Broken Hearts

According to a new study that was recently published in European Heart Journal, damage to the heart from a heart disease or failure can be partially repaired through regular intense exercises. Unlike the long-held notion that the heart is not capable of regeneration, the researchers found that dormant cardiac stem cells can be sprung to life with regular workouts, leading to the development of a new heart muscle.

The study, carried out by a team of researchers from Liverpool John Moores University, was funded by the British Heart Foundation. It is the first of its kind to suggest that a basic exercise regime can have the same effect on the heart as injecting growth chemicals to stimulate stem cells to produce new tissue.

The study was conducted on a group of healthy male rats for up to four weeks. They were exercised on an intensity-controlled treadmill for 30 minutes, four times a week. The exercise resulted in over 60 per cent of heart stem cells becoming active. In adults these stem cells are usually dormant. Within two weeks of exercise, there was a 7 per cent increase in the number of ‘beating’ cells in the heart tissue.

According to the researchers, this study adds to the growing evidence that adult hearts may be able to make new muscle from dormant stem cells. They write, ‘Traditionally, the adult mammalian heart has been viewed as a post-mitotic organ with no, or very low, regenerative capacity… These findings highlight the endogenous regenerative capacity of the adult heart.’

Recommending either jogging or cycling daily for at least 30 minutes, Dr Georgina Ellison, the lead author of the study, told The Telegraph that while those who suffer from severe heart damage may be incapable of intensive workouts, there are many who can exercise for at least 30 minutes without jeopardising their health. “In a normal cardiac rehabilitation programme patients do undertake exercise, but what we are saying is maybe to be more effective it needs to be carried out at a higher intensity, in order to activate the resident stem cells,” she said.

The scientists, however, recommend more research to determine whether this can be translated into treatment for human patients.

The late Marxist historian DD Kosambi continues to wield tremendous influence on the study of Hinduism. But his disciples have disallowed any rational critique of the man and have zealously ignored the religion’s diversity

The late Marxist historian DD Kosambi continues to wield tremendous influence on the study of Hinduism. But his disciples have disallowed any rational critique of the man and have zealously ignored the religion’s diversity

Sitaram Yechury incurs the displeasure of party leaders who want action, not talk, as the new chief goes ahead with plans to hold a plenum in November, just months ahead of crucial polls in Kerala where it is battling against heavy odds to wrest power from the Congress and in West Bengal where it is struggling to retain its second position

Open lists a few parliamentarians who could take a tip or two from Nehru to revive Indian Parliament as an effective instrument of democracy—and to save the country from the brink of economic and political disaster